Samstag, Januar 23, 2010

WHAT TO LOOK FOR – CONFERENCE FINALS

WHAT TO LOOK FOR – AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

RETURN ENGAGEMENT: For the fourth consecutive season and 14th time since 1990 when the NFL went to the 12-team playoff format, teams that played at least once during the regular season will meet in the AFC Championship Game when the New York Jets face the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. If New York defeats Indianapolis, it will mark the 11th time in 14 opportunities that a team won the AFC Championship Game against a team it defeated in the regular season.

AFC Championship Games that were rematches of regular-season meetings since 1990:

ROOKIE HEAD COACHES: For the first time in NFL history, a conference championship game will feature two rookie head coaches: New York’s REX RYAN and Indianapolis’ JIM CALDWELL. The winner of this week’s matchup will become the fifth rookie head coach to lead a team to the Super Bowl.

The players with the most completions and passing yards in NFL postseason history:

PLAYER

COMP.

PLAYER

YARDS

Joe Montana

460

Joe Montana

5,772

Brett Favre

453*

Brett Favre

5,545*

Tom Brady

395

John Elway

4,964

Dan Marino

385

Dan Marino

4,510

Peyton Manning

378*

Peyton Manning

4,454*

*Active in 2009 playoffs

-- AFC --

YOUTH IS SERVED: Last week, the Jets’ MARK SANCHEZ became the second rookie quarterback in NFL history to win two playoff games, joining Baltimore’s JOE FLACCO (2008). With a win this Sunday, Sanchez would become the youngest quarterback to lead his team to the Super Bowl at 23 years and 88 days on Super Bowl Sunday. Sanchez would also be the first rookie quarterback in history to start a Super Bowl.

Ages of the youngest quarterbacks to start a Super Bowl:

SEASON

QUARTERBACKS

TEAM

YEARS

DAYS

NFL EXP.

SB RESULT

1984

Dan Marino

Miami

23

127

2

L 38-16 vs. San Francisco (SB XIX)

2005

Ben Roethlisberger

Pittsburgh

23

340

2

W 21-10 vs. Seattle (SB XL)

1982

David Woodley

Miami

24

97

3

L 27-17 vs. Washington (SB XVII)

2001

Tom Brady

New England

24

184

2

W 20-17 vs. St. Louis (SB XXXVI)

1996

Drew Bledsoe

New England

24

347

4

L 35-21 vs. Green Bay (SB XXXI)

2009

Mark Sanchez*

NY Jets

23

88

R

???

* On Super Bowl Sunday, February 7

Sanchez, who will be 23 years, 74 days old when the Jets face the Colts this Sunday, will become the fourth-youngest quarterback to start a conference championship game.

The youngest quarterbacks to start a conference championship game:

SEASON

QUARTERBACK

TEAM

YEARS

DAYS

NFL EXP.

CHAMP. RESULT

1999

Shaun King

Tampa Bay

22

239

R

L 11-6 vs. St. Louis

2004

Ben Roethlisberger

Pittsburgh

22

327

R

L 41-27 vs. New England

1986

Bernie Kosar

Cleveland

23

47

2

L 23-20 (OT) vs. Denver

1984

Dan Marino

Miami

23

113

2

W 45-28 vs. Pittsburgh

2005

Ben Roethlisberger

Pittsburgh

23

326

2

W 34-17 vs. Denver

2009

Mark Sanchez*

New York Jets

23

74

R

???

* On Sunday, January 24

-- AFC --

GREENE MAN: With 128 rushing yards against the San Diego Chargers last week, New York Jets running back SHONN GREENE became one of three rookies in NFL history with at least 100 rushing yards in each of his first two playoff games, joining DUANE THOMAS (1970) and ICKEY WOODS (1988).

If he continues his streak against Indianapolis, Greene can become the first player in NFL history with 100+ rush yards in each of his first three playoff games. With 121 rushing yards, Greene can also set the NFL record for the most rushing yards by a player in his first three postseason contests. FRED TAYLOR (383 yards) currently owns the record.

The players with the most rushing yards in their first three playoff games:

PLAYER

TEAM

YEARS

RUSH YARDS

Fred Taylor

Jacksonville

1998-99

383

Terrell Davis

Denver

1996-97

376

Eddie George

Tennessee

1999

354

Timmy Smith

Washington

1987

342

Freeman McNeil

New York Jets

1981-82

335

Shonn Greene

New York Jets

2009

263*

*Through 2 games

PLAYOFF SPARK FROM CLARK: Indianapolis’ Pro Bowl tight end DALLAS CLARK can become the NFL’s all-time postseason leader among tight ends in receptions and receiving yards this Sunday. Clark, who currently ranks fourth in both categories with 53 catches for 726 yards, needs 10 receptions and 109 yards against the Jets to set both records.

The tight ends with the most receptions and receiving yards in NFL postseason history:

PLAYER

REC.

PLAYER

YARDS

Jay Novacek

62

Keith Jackson

834

Shannon Sharpe

62

Shannon Sharpe

814

Brent Jones

60

Brent Jones

740

Dallas Clark

53

Dallas Clark

726

Keith Jackson

51

Jay Novacek

645

-- AFC --

WAYNE MANOR: Colts wide receiver REGGIE WAYNE is currently tied for sixth all-time with nine postseason touchdown receptions. If he catches his 10th playoff touchdown this Sunday against the Jets, Wayne will tie for third on the all-time list with Pro Football Hall of Famer FRED BILETNIKOFF, ANTONIO FREEMAN and RANDY MOSS.

The players with the most receiving touchdowns in NFL postseason history:

PLAYER

TEAM(S)

RECEIVING TDs

Jerry Rice

San Francisco, Oakland, Seattle

22

John Stallworth

Pittsburgh

12

Fred Biletnikoff

Oakland

10

Antonio Freeman

Green Bay, Philadelphia

10

Randy Moss

Minnesota, New England

10

Reggie Wayne

Indianapolis

9

Wayne also has an active streak of four consecutive postseason games with a touchdown catch. He can extend that streak to five games this Sunday, which would tie for the third longest such streak in NFL playoff history.

The most consecutive postseason games with a touchdown reception in NFL history:

PLAYER

TEAM(S)

YEARS

CONSECUTIVE PLAYOFF GAMES WITH TD CATCH

John Stallworth

Pittsburgh

1978-1983

8

David Givens

New England

2003-2005

7

James Lofton

Green Bay, Buffalo

1982-1990

5

Randy Moss

Minnesota

1998-2000

5

Antonio Freeman

Green Bay

1997-2001

5

Hines Ward

Pittsburgh

2002-2005

5

Reggie Wayne

Indianapolis

2006-2009

4*

*Active streak

-- AFC --

REVIS ISLAND: After intercepting a pass in his playoff debut against Cincinnati in the Jets’ Wild Card win, Pro Bowl cornerback DARRELLE REVIS secured another INT against San Diego. With an interception against Indianapolis, Revis can become the sixth player in NFL history to intercept a pass in each of his first three postseason games.

The players with an interception in each of their first three postseason games:

PLAYER

TEAM

YEAR(S)

CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH INT TO

START POSTSEASON CAREER

Aeneas Williams

St. Louis Rams

1998-2001

4

Ken Gorgal

Cleveland Browns

1950-1953

3

Warren Lahr

Cleveland Browns

1950-1951

3

Ed Reed

Baltimore Ravens

2003-2008

3

Jason Sehorn

New York Giants

1996-2000

3

Darrelle Revis

New York Jets

2009

2*

*Active streak

AFC TROPHY PRESENTATION: The LAMAR HUNT TROPHY will be presented to the winner of the AFC Championship Game.

The late Hunt, founder of the Kansas City Chiefs and American Football League, helped professional football attain its stature as America’s No. 1 sport. In the 10-year history of the AFL, his team posted the most wins (87) and earned berths in two of the first four Super Bowls, including a victory in Super Bowl IV.

In 1972, Hunt became the first person from the AFL to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

# # #

FOR USE AS DESIRED

January 20, 2010

WHAT TO LOOK FOR – NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

TOP-TWO SQUARE OFF: For the fifth time since the 2000 season, the top-two seeds will square off in the NFC Championship Game (Sunday, 6:40 PM ET, FOX). The New Orleans Saints aim to reach their first Super Bowl in franchise history, and the Minnesota Vikings seek their fifth Super Bowl berth.

SEASON

ONE SEED

TWO SEED

RESULT

2000

N.Y. Giants

Minnesota

N.Y. Giants 41, Minnesota 0

2002

Philadelphia

Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay 27, Philadelphia 10

2004

Philadelphia

Atlanta

Philadelphia 27, Atlanta 10

2006

Chicago

New Orleans

Chicago 39, New Orleans 14

2009

New Orleans

Minnesota

???

-- NFL --

SCORING BONANZA: The NFC Championship Game will match the two highest scoring teams in the NFL in 2009. The Saints, who recorded the ninth-highest single-season points total in NFL history with 510, will face the Vikings, who averaged 29.4 points per game (470 total) this year. The meeting will be just the fifth Conference Championship Game featuring the top two scoring teams in the league. All such matchups have taken place in the NFC Championship Game.

Conference Championship Games featuring the top two scoring teams in the league:

SEASON

HOME (RANK)

VISITOR (RANK)

RESULT

1989

San Francisco (1)

LA Rams (2)

San Francisco 30, LA Rams 3

1992

San Francisco (1)

Dallas (2)

Dallas 30, San Francisco 20

1993

Dallas (2)

San Francisco (1)

Dallas 38, San Francisco 21

1994

San Francisco (1)

Dallas (2)

San Francisco 38, Dallas 28

2009

New Orleans (1)

Minnesota (2)

???

The Saints and Vikings showed off their high-powered offenses in the Divisional Playoffs, posting 45 (New Orleans) and 34 (Minnesota) points. The two tie for the second-highest combined points scored in the Divisional Playoffs by Conference Championship opponents.

SEASON

HOME

POINTS

VISITOR

POINTS

TOTAL

1999

Jacksonville

62

Tennessee

19

81

1994

San Francisco

44

Dallas

35

79

2009

New Orleans

45

Minnesota

34

79

2001

St. Louis

45

Philadelphia

33

78

1981

San Francisco

38

Dallas

38

76

1986

N.Y. Giants

49

Washington

27

76

-- NFL --

FAVRE AND AWAY: Minnesota quarterback BRETT FAVRE will be 40 years and 106 days old on Sunday when he faces the New Orleans Saints. If he starts that game as expected, he will become the oldest quarterback ever to start a Conference Championship Game. Favre’s four touchdown passes last week against Dallas are twice as many as all other 40-year old quarterbacks have thrown in NFL postseason history combined.

The oldest quarterbacks to start a Conference Championship Game:

PLAYER

SEASON, TEAM

YEARS

DAYS

RESULT

Johnny Unitas

1971 Baltimore

38

240

L 21-0 vs. Miami

Earl Morrall

1972 Miami

38

228

W 21-17 vs. Pittsburgh

John Elway

1998 Denver

38

203

W 23-10 vs. NY Jets

Brett Favre

2007 Green Bay

38

102

L 23-20 (OT) vs. NY Giants

Johnny Unitas

1970 Baltimore

37

241

W 27-17 vs. Oakland

Brett Favre*

2009 Minnesota

40

106

???

* Favre will be 40 years and 106 days old on Sunday

Favre ranks second in NFL playoff history in completions, passing yards and touchdown passes. He needs eight completions, 228 passing yards and three touchdowns on Sunday to set postseason records in each passing category. He is already the all-time postseason leader in attempts with 745.

The top two quarterbacks in playoff completions, attempts, passing yards and touchdown passes:

PLAYER

COMPLETIONS

PLAYER

ATTEMPTS

Joe Montana

460

Brett Favre*

745

Brett Favre*

453

Joe Montana

734

*Active *Active

PLAYER

PASS YARDS

PLAYER

TD PASSES

Joe Montana

5,772

Joe Montana

45

Brett Favre*

5,545

Brett Favre*

43

*Active *Active

-- NFL --

BEEN HERE BEFORE: When he takes the field on Sunday, Favre will tie Philadelphia Eagles quarterback DONOVAN MC NABB for third-most starts by a quarterback in the NFC Championship Game. Pro Football Hall of Famers JOE MONTANA and ROGER STAUBACH have each started an NFL-record six NFC Championship Games.

The quarterbacks with the most NFC Championship Game starts:

PLAYER

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME STARTS

RECORD

Joe Montana

6

4-2

Roger Staubach

6

4-2

Donovan McNabb

5

1-4

Troy Aikman

4

3-1

Brett Favre*

4

2-2

Steve Young

4

1-3

* Favre will start his fifth NFC Championship Game on Sunday

-- NFL --

TRIPLE CROWN QUARTERBACKS: New Orleans quarterback DREW BREES and the Vikings’ Favre both passed for 4,000+ yards, 30+ touchdowns and had a passer rating of 100+ this season. When they face off on Sunday, it will be the first matchup of quarterbacks with such passing totals in Conference Championship Game history.

There has been only one previous Conference Championship Game matchup in which both starting quarterbacks passed for even 4,000+ yards during the regular season.

Conference Championship Game matchups of quarterbacks with 4,000+ passing yards in the regular season:

GAME

HOME QB (YARDS)

VISITING QB (YARDS)

RESULT

1996 AFC Championship Game

(New England vs. Jacksonville)

Drew Bledsoe (4,086)

Mark Brunell (4,367)

New England 20, Jacksonville 6

2009 NFC Championship Game

(New Orleans vs. Minnesota)

Drew Brees (4,388)

Brett Favre (4,202)

???

-- NFL --

PUNT RETURN PROWESS: New Orleans running back/punt returner REGGIE BUSH recorded an 83-yard punt-return touchdown in the Saints’ Divisional Playoff win over Arizona, becoming just the 20th player with a punt-return touchdown in playoff history. With a punt-return touchdown against Minnesota, Bush will become the first player in postseason history with two punt-return touchdowns and just the fourth player with two combined kick-and punt-return touchdowns.

In his last game against Minnesota (10/6/08), Bush tied an NFL record with two punt-return touchdowns.

The players in NFL history with two combined kick-and punt-return touchdowns in postseason history:

PLAYER

COMBINED RETURN TDs

PUNT-RETURN TDs

KICK-RETURN TDs

Ron Dixon

2

0

2

Desmond Howard

2

1

1

Jermaine Lewis

2

1

1

Reggie Bush*

1

1

0

* Active

Bush has recorded a touchdown in each of his three career playoff games, and has scored an 80+ yard touchdown in an NFL-record two consecutive playoff games. He aims for his third straight such game on Sunday.

-- NFL --

NFC TROPHY PRESENTATION: The winner of the NFC Championship Game will be presented with the GEORGE HALAS TROPHY.

Halas, the late owner of the Chicago Bears and a founder of the NFL, is the second-winningest coach in history (324-151-31) behind DON SHULA (347-173-6). He won six NFL championships with the Bears and is a charter enshrinee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1963).